8 Tips to Merge Two Houses into One Beautiful Home

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Newly wed, newly engaged or even just downsizing to a smaller living space – trying to merge two houses into one cohesive space can be a challenge. These 8 decorating tips will help you make your new space beautiful without ditching anyone’s favorite things.

Common Ground

Look for similarities in your design preferences and emphasize those things you both enjoy, rather than focusing on your differences. Perhaps there’s a common color scheme, or an artist or art style you both enjoy. Explore design ideas and advice by searching online and creating a Pinterest board. You can each pin items off each other’s’ boards onto a shared “New Home” board.

Something Old, Something New

As you’re merging existing furnishings, determine any key pieces you may be missing and splurge on something new that you both love. First determine the top renovations or furnishings that will best improve your home, and then figure out a style that will suit both your tastes. New cabinets, flooring or lighting, for example, can give your home a fresh new look – one that you created together as a couple – and can also add to the value when it comes time for resale.

Combining all your favorites could help you create something like this eclectic space featured on iDesignArch.com.

Meet In The Middle

Since your home’s interior has to satisfy two people, try to find the point of compromise. If you like a traditional plush carpet and he prefers a hardwood floor, choose an oversized area rug to display on a hardwood floor surface. The experts at your local Carpet One Floor & Home store can help mediate and offer solutions to such flooring quibbles.

“No-Critique” Zone

Sometimes you have to put aside your differences – in another room or space, that is. If there’s no reconciling certain points of design disagreement, you might opt for a designated room or area for each person, filled with their favorite collectibles or furnishings. Try to keep the eye-rolling to a minimum in these “no-critique” zones!

Create Traditions

He’s not into your collection of pressed butterflies, and you’re not too keen about his beloved baseball cards. Create your own tradition of collecting something you both treasure, perhaps souvenirs from your travels together, or your personal collection of holiday ornaments, or a music “library” of favorite CDs.

An Eclectic Mix

Conformity in decorating can be dull and boring, so embrace your different tastes into an eclectic mix that gives your home a unique style. For example, merge his contemporary leather furnishings with your vintage pillows and rugs and create a habitat that works for you both. To keep your new home cohesive overall, keep a piece from each of you in each space.

This room featured on Home Caprice is a great example of how all your favorite things can be merged into one beautiful space.

No Time Limit

Don’t be too quick to consign his sports paraphernalia or her antique book collection to the trash or thrift store. There’s no rush to find your happy medium. Keep sifting through accessories and rearranging your combined furniture for as long as it takes until it feels right for both of you, which could be anywhere from six months to a year.

Home Sweet Home

Throughout the decorating process, keep in mind that you’ll be sharing wonderful memories in your first home together, regardless of the color of the walls or the design of the ceramic tiles. And as you grow together, your tastes will likely change and possibly converge, so don’t fret. What’s really important is that you are sharing your beautiful new home together – hold onto that thought and everything else becomes a lot simpler.